Method of using a multi-layer brewing cup

ABSTRACT

In an embodiment of the described technology, a multi-chamber cup is used to brew coffee or other (hot) drink in a brewing machine. Such a device allows one to add any coffee, but use all the features of an automated single-cup or multi-cup brewing machine. The multi-chamber cup has an inner cup, an intermediate cup, and an outer cup each having sides with circular cross-sections between a top side and bottom side, defining an inner cavity there-between, each with a lip at a top side of the respective cup, extending outwards from a respective inner cavity of each cup. This allows water to enter and flow through multiple cups (at least three) before exiting the multi-chamber cup, such that the liquid becomes homogenized with dissolved particulate solid matter to produce a flavorful, high-quality drink.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSED TECHNOLOGY

The disclosed technology relates generally to food and beverageapparatuses and, more specifically, to a brewing cup for single cupbrewing.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSED TECHNOLOGY

Automatic brewing machines for single cups of coffee or tea are known inthe art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,658,989, assigned to Keurig,Incorporated, discloses a single serving beverage brewer in which ameasured charge of dry beverage medium is infused with a metered amountof heated liquid. This reference is herein incorporated by reference, inits entirety. A reusable beverage filter cartridge, with a cup-shapedhousing having a top opening and bottom outlet port, an internal filter,and a removable lid, is used.

The drawback to such machines is that one typically must buy relativelyexpensive pre-packaged cups, each cup wrapped in a container to bedisposed of, creating a lot of waste. While this is more convenient thanbrewing an entire pot of coffee for just one drink, and produces a muchbetter-tasting drink than instant coffee which is added to hot water, auser typically cannot choose his/her preferred quantity of groundcoffee, or add any coffee grounds of his/her choice. If one did so withan automatic single cup brewing machine, the results would beunreliable.

Therefore, there is a need in the art to provide the convenience ofsingle-cup coffee brewing machines, but with less waste, and with thelow cost and flexibility of traditional multi-cup coffee makers.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSED TECHNOLOGY

Therefore, it is an object of the disclosed technology to find anefficient way to use ground coffee, and other particulate solids toproduce drinks which are most flavorful.

As such, in an embodiment of the disclosed technology, a multi-chambercup is used to brew coffee or other (hot) drinks in a brewing machine.Such a device allows one to add any coffee, but use all the features ofan automated single-cup brewing machine. The multi-chamber cup has aninner cup, an intermediate cup, and an outer cup, each having sides withcircular cross-sections between a top side and bottom side, defining aninner cavity there-between, each with a lip at a top side of therespective cup, extending outwards from a respective inner cavity ofeach cup. This allows water to enter and flow through multiple cups (atleast three) before exiting the multi-chamber cup, such that the liquidbecomes homogenized with dissolved particulate solid matter to produce aflavorful, high-quality drink.

The lip of the intermediate cup, in an embodiment, has a steppedbifurcation between an inner portion of said lip closer to the cavity ofthe intermediate cup, and an outer portion of the lip further from thecavity of the intermediate cup. That is, the lip is in two parts with alower inner part and raised outer part, to fit within a larger cupwithout moving, as well as house a smaller cup without it moving. Theinner cup is adapted to fit within the cavity of the intermediate cup,such that a bottom side of the lip of the inner cup abuts a top side ofthe inner portion of the lip of the intermediate cup. The intermediatecup is further adapted to fit within the cavity of the outer cup, suchthat a top side of the outer portion of the lip of the intermediate cupabuts a bottom side of the lip of the outer cup.

The lip of the outer cup may have two portions: a) a first portion beingwider and/or extending further down towards a bottom side of the outercup than a b) second portion. The lid may have a partial-circumferentiallower lip, which may further correspond to the second portion of the lipof the outer cup, “correspond” being defined as covering oppositeportions of an edge of the same imaginary circle. Thus, the lip of thelid and first portion of the lip, or entire lip, of the outer cup may bejoined together to form a complete circumferential lip.

The lid may be generally circular (having a circular top and circularbottom) where “generally,” for purposes of this disclosure, is definedas “what an ordinary observer would consider as such” or “at least 75%being as such.” Thus, when the bottom of the lid is called “generallycircular,” even though it may have a lip around the edge, it is stillconsidered to be “generally circular,” and even though the top may haveridges, it is still considered “generally circular.” The lid may furtherhave a portal at a midpoint of the circular shape.

The cups may also have portals on their sides or bottoms, in addition tothe top portal opening into the cavity of the cups, the top portal beingsurrounded by a lip. The inner cup may have side portals, the sideportals closer to the bottom side than top side. The intermediate cupmay have side portals closer to the top side. Both the intermediate cupand the outer cup may further have bottom portals.

In a stacked configuration, in an embodiment of the disclosedtechnology, the inner cup is in the intermediate cup, and theintermediate cup in the outer cup, and the stacked cups (defined as amajority of one cup residing within a cavity of another cup) are adaptedto house solid particulate matter in the inner cup. As such, liquidentering through the portal of the lid/cover is forced (defined as,having a path via which it will flow, due to the force of gravity on thecup when the lid is towards a direction opposite the force of gravity,and the bottom is aligned towards the direction of the force of gravity)to flow through each cup before exiting out a bottom of the outer cup.

In a method of using a cup, such a cup has at least three layers ofcups, each having bottoms, sides, and openings into cavities of each cupat the top. The method is carried out, not necessarily in this order, bya) placing an inner cup into an intermediate cup such that a lip of theinner cup rests on an inner portion of a lip of the intermediate cup, b)placing the intermediate cup into an outer cup such that an outerportion of the lip of the intermediate cup rests on a lip of the outercup, c) placing particulate solid material in a cavity of the inner cup,and d) placing the inner, intermediate, and outer cups in a chamber of abrewing apparatus, the brewing apparatus having a heating chamber andliquid dispensing mechanism.

Further, one may cause a lid to slide over at least one inner,intermediate, and/or outer cup. Liquid from the brewing apparatus mayenter through the lid onto the particulate solid matter. The inner cupmay have side portals closer to the bottom than the top, such that theliquid is then forced to exit through the side portals into theintermediate cup, which may have side portals, such as closer to thebottom than the top of the cup where the liquid then exits through tothe outer cup. The outer cup may have bottom portals on the bottom sideof the outer cup, and at least some of the liquid may exit through thebottom portals into an apparatus external to the three layers of cups.At least one cup of the inner, intermediate, and outer cups may haveexterior ridges adapted to align with ridges of another cup.

The lid may have a central portal adapted for passage there-through ofliquid. The lid may further have a partially-circumferential lip adaptedto abut a corresponding partial-circumferential portion of a lip of theouter cup. In a stacked condition with lid covering the cups such thatthe lips of the outer cup and lid form a complete circular lip, theinner and the intermediate cups are hidden from view, in an embodimentof the disclosed technology.

It should be understood that the use of “and/or” is defined inclusivelysuch that the term “a and/or b” should be read to include the sets: “aand b,” “a or b,” “a,” “b.”

Further features of the device, described above, are also applicable toa method of use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a blown apart view of a brewing cup of an embodiment of thedisclosed technology.

FIG. 2A shows a top perspective view of a brewing cup of an embodimentof the disclosed technology.

FIG. 2B shows a reverse perspective view of the brewing cup of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2C shows a top view of the brewing cup of FIGS. 2A and 2B.

FIG. 2D shows a side view of the brewing cup of FIGS. 2A-2C.

FIG. 2E shows a cutaway view along section line A-A of FIG. 2D.

FIG. 2F shows a bottom view of the brewing cup of FIGS. 2A-2E.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an interior lining cup of anembodiment of the disclosed technology.

FIG. 4A shows another perspective view of the interior lining cup ofFIG. 3.

FIG. 4B shows a button perspective view of the interior lining cup ofFIG. 3.

FIG. 4C shows a top plan view of the interior lining cup of FIG. 3.

FIG. 4D shows a bottom plan view of the interior lining cup of FIG. 3.

FIG. 4E shows a side view of the interior lining cup of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an intermediate layer cup of anembodiment of the disclosed technology.

FIG. 6A shows another perspective view of the intermediate layer cup ofFIG. 5.

FIG. 6B shows a bottom perspective view of the intermediate layer cup ofFIG. 5.

FIG. 6C shows a top view of the intermediate layer cup of FIG. 5.

FIG. 6D shows a bottom view of the intermediate layer cup of FIG. 5.

FIG. 6E shows a side view of the intermediate layer cup of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of an outer layer cup of an embodimentof the disclosed technology.

FIG. 8A shows a top perspective view of the outer layer cup of FIG. 7.

FIG. 8B shows a bottom perspective view of the outer layer cup of FIG.7.

FIG. 8C shows a bottom plan view of the outer layer cup of FIG. 7.

FIG. 8D shows a top plan view of the outer layer cup of FIG. 7.

FIG. 8E shows a side view of the outer layer cup of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 shows a top perspective view of a lid of an embodiment of thedisclosed technology.

FIG. 10A shows another perspective view of the lid of FIG. 9.

FIG. 10B shows a bottom perspective view of the lid of FIG. 9.

FIG. 10C shows a top plan view of the lid of FIG. 9.

FIG. 10D shows a side view of the lid of FIG. 9.

FIG. 10E shows a bottom view of the lid of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of the fully assembled brew cup of anembodiment of the disclosed technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSED TECHNOLOGY

In an embodiment of the disclosed technology, a multi-chamber cup isused to brew coffee or other (hot) drinks in a single or multi-cupbrewing machine. Such a device allows one to add any coffee of one'schoice, but use all the features of an automated single-cup brewingmachine. The multi-chamber cup has an inner cup, an intermediate cup,and an outer cup, each having sides with circular cross-sections betweena top side and bottom side, defining an inner cavity there-between, eachwith a lip at a top side of the respective cup, extending outwards froma respective inner cavity of each cup. This allows water to enter andflow through multiple cups (at least three) before exiting themulti-chamber cup, such that the liquid becomes homogenized withdissolved particulate solid matter to produce a flavorful, high-qualitydrink.

Embodiments of the disclosed technology will become clearer in view ofthe following description of the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a blown apart view of a brewing cup of an embodiment of thedisclosed technology. Each piece, from most interior to exterior, isnumbered in increments of 100. The inner lining layer of the brewing cup100 fits into the intermediate layer cup 200, such that the lip of cup100 rests on the lip of cup 200. The intermediate layer cup 200 fitswithin the outer layer cup 300, such that the lip of cup 200 rests onthe lip of cup 300. Outer layer cup 300 fits onto the lower nozzle 400,the nozzle 400 being adaptable to fit within a particular automatedsingle or multi-cup brewing machine. The lid 500 is slidable over cups100, 200, and 300. A half-lip, extending 180 degrees or less than fullyaround the top opening of the lid 500 is adapted to be engaged with thecorresponding half lip or less than full lip of outer cup 300. In thismanner, the lid is slidable on and off, allowing for automating thecovering and/or uncovering when used with a brewing machine or adapterfor a brewing machine.

FIG. 2A shows a top perspective view of a brewing cup of an embodimentof the disclosed technology. FIG. 2B shows a reverse perspective view ofthe brewing cup of FIG. 2A. FIG. 2C shows a top view of the brewing cupof FIGS. 2A and 2B. FIG. 2D shows a side view of the brewing cup ofFIGS. 2A-2C. FIG. 2E shows a cutaway view along section line A-A of FIG.2D. FIG. 2F shows a bottom view of the brewing cup of FIGS. 2A-2E. Asshown, the brewing cup is in a fully assembled condition. The lid 500 isover the outer cup layer 300, which is situated into the bottom nozzlepiece 400. Liquid enters through the upper portal 520 of the lid, intothe cavity of the inner cup 100, the inner cup 100 also comprisingcoffee grounds, tea, or another particulate solid material, leaf, orflavor-adding compound which dissolves in, or partially exits with, theliquid.

While it will become clearer in view of the foregoing figures, in use,one puts the particulate solid matter or other matter, as describedabove, into the inner basket 100 before or after inserting theintermediate basket 200, which in turn, is placed, before or after, inthe outer basket 300. The lid or cover 500 is slid in place over thetop, and liquid, typically hot liquid, enters between the depressedregion 520 of the lid 500 having a top side 530, through the portal 520,granted access to an inner cavity surrounded by the cups 100, 200 and300. The liquid exits through lower portals of the inner cup 100, intothe intermediate cup 200, whence it exits through upper portals andbottom portals of this cup, into the outer cup 300, and out through thenozzle piece 400. As seen in FIG. 2F in particular, the nozzle portionhas sides 430 with a central region 420 which may be flat, this regionfurther having bottom portals 410 through which the liquid exits,towards its final destination, typically a cup of a drinker, comprising(or about to comprise) the brewed drink.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an interior lining cup of anembodiment of the disclosed technology. This interior lining cup 100 hasan exterior side 110 and interior side 120, the interior side forming acavity for holding particulate solid matter (or the like, as describedabove). The portals 130 allow liquid, such as water, to exitthere-through when this liquid enters through the top opening thereofand begins to fill the interior space defined by the interior side 120of the cup. These portals extend around the circumference of the innerlining cup in a regular manner, in an embodiment of the disclosedtechnology. When in use, the inner lining cup 100 is housed within theintermediate cup 200, preventing the solid particulate matter fromescaping through the portals in any non-negligible amount. A screen orfilter is placed in the cavity of the inner lining cup, in an embodimentof the disclosed technology.

FIG. 4A shows another perspective view of the interior lining cup ofFIG. 3. FIG. 4B shows a bottom perspective view of the interior liningcup of FIG. 3. FIG. 4C shows a top plan view of the interior lining cupof FIG. 3. FIG. 4D shows a bottom plan view of the interior lining cupof FIG. 3. FIG. 4E shows a side view of the interior lining cup of FIG.3. In these figures, it can be more readily ascertained that the lip 140extends past the exterior side of the cup body. This lip 140 allows itto sit on (be abutted against) the intermediate cup. Note also that theportals 130 are in the lower region. For purposes of this disclosure,“bottom” refers to the bottom side of a cup, the bottom being in thedirection of the pull of gravity. The “top” refers to the side wherefluid is added, opposite the direction of gravity. “Lower side” or“lower portion” refers to the side of a cup, closest to the bottom andno more than starting 25% of the distance from the bottom. “Upper side”(or “upper portion”) is the opposite of lower side, in that it refers tothe side of a cup, closest to the top and no more than starting 25% ofthe distance from the top.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an intermediate layer cup of anembodiment of the disclosed technology. Note that the intermediate layercup 200 has an inner lip 240 and outer lip 245. An inner side 220 of thebody of the cup forms a cavity there-between, with a large portal at thetop. The inner lip 240 forms/is adjacent to the outermost region of thecavity and is circular/has a circular cross-section. The outer lip 245,at its smallest circumference, is larger than the largest circumferenceof the inner lip. The inner and outer lip abut each other and differfrom each other by having different external heights at the top side ofthe cup 200, forming a step or bifurcation between the two portions ofthe lip, 240 and 245. As such, lip 240 is adapted to abut lip 140 of theinner cup, and lip 245 is adapted to abut lip 340 of cup 300.

Side portals 230 surround the circumference of the upper side of thecup, in the embodiment shown. At least one side portal is used, inembodiments, or a plurality thereof. The exterior of the cup 210 hasridges 215 which are adapted to fit between the interior ridges of theouter cup layer 300.

FIG. 6A shows another perspective view of the intermediate layer cup ofFIG. 5. FIG. 6B shows a bottom perspective view of the intermediatelayer cup of FIG. 5. FIG. 6C shows a top view of the intermediate layercup of FIG. 5. FIG. 6D shows a bottom view of the intermediate layer cupof FIG. 5. FIG. 6E shows a side view of the intermediate layer cup ofFIG. 5. In these figures, one can see the bottom portal 250—in thisembodiment, a single portal at the center/midpoint of the bottomcircular plane of the intermediate cup 200. The portions 230 are nearestto the top side of the cup 200, the top side comprising the lip 240. Thelip 240 abuts, when placed together in use, lips of both the inner cup100 and outer cup 300, the difference in heights between each twoportions of the lips 240 and 245 being visible in FIG. 6A. When liquidenters into the cup 100, it flows out of the portals 130, filling thecentral cavity of the intermediate cup 200, and exiting out the lowerportal 250 or overflowing out of the upper portals 230. As such, thisallows the liquid to steadily flow through the particulate solid matterin the cup 100, and be homogenized and [percolate as it mixes and flowsthrough the intermediate basket, and then into the outer layer cup 300,as shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of an outer layer cup of an embodimentof the disclosed technology. The outer layer cup 300, in an embodimentof the disclosed technology has ridges 315 on the outer surface 310.Ridges are defined as irregular surfaces which have a common interiorextent, and common exterior extent different from the interior extent,which are alternately exposed. Here, the ridges 315 are on both theinner and outer sides of the cup 300, and interface (line up with)ridges 215 on the outer side 210 of the intermediate cup 200.

Referring still to FIG. 7, the outer layer cup 300 has an interior side320 (with ridges 315) and two-portioned lip 340 and 345. A portion ofthe lip 340 extends less far from the cylindrical (defined as a portionhaving circular cross sections) cavity spaced between the interior side320, than another portion of the lip 345. The aforementioned lips arereferred to as a “smaller lip 340” and “larger lip 345,” the differencein size between the smaller and larger lips made up for by a lid 500positioned there-on, as will be described below. Each larger and smallerlip extends 50% of the way around the circular circumference, in anembodiment of the disclosed technology. In other embodiments, the largeror smaller lip may extend 55%, 60%, 65%, or 75% all around, with acorresponding opposite lip of the lid 500 slidably accounting for therest of the circumference, to complete a size of the larger lip aroundthe entire circumference of the two abutted devices, the outer cup layer300 and lid 500.

More views of the outer layer cup 300 are shown as follows. FIG. 8Ashows a top perspective view of the outer layer cup of FIG. 7. FIG. 8Bshows a bottom perspective view of the outer layer cup of FIG. 7. FIG.8C shows a bottom plan view of the outer layer cup of FIG. 7. FIG. 8Dshows a top plan view of the outer layer cup of FIG. 7. FIG. 8E shows aside view of the outer layer cup of FIG. 7. One can see in FIG. 8, theridges on the outside and inside of the walls of the cup, the wallsextending from the circular base to the lip. One can also see the bottomportals 350, here, shown as two spaced-apart portals where the liquid,after passing through the particulate solid matter in the inner cup,through the intermediate cup, and into the cavity of the outer cup 300.From the bottom portal or portals 350, the liquid, with dissolvedparticulate solid matter (which is no longer solid) exits into thenozzle 400 or directly into another destination, such as a separate cupfrom which one drinks.

FIG. 9 shows a top perspective view of a lid of an embodiment of thedisclosed technology. The lid 500, as described partially above, has atop side which may have ridges or grooves, as shown, which aid ingripping by an external device or machine adapted for grasping this lid,subject to another patent application being filed with this application,and hereby incorporated by reference. The lid had a depression 510around a portal 520. The portal 510, in embodiments of the disclosedtechnology, extends outward from the midpoint to the outer extent of acircular cross section of the lid, with the depression 520 beginning atthe outer extent (side furthest away from the midpoint) of the portaltowards the outer extent of the circular cross section of the lid. Thedepression allows for alignment of a liquid expelling head of anotherdevice, with nozzle lined up with the portal 520. The lip 540 extendspartially around the circumference of the lid 500, leaving a void 545created in an imaginary space where the lip would extend if itscircumferential path continued around the lower side of the body of thelid 500, the body being defined as the portion above the plane of theflange of the lip 540.

FIG. 10A shows another perspective view of the lid of FIG. 9. FIG. 10Bshows a bottom perspective view of the lid of FIG. 9. FIG. 10C shows atop plan view of the lid of FIG. 9. FIG. 10D shows a side view of thelid of FIG. 9. FIG. 10E shows a bottom view of the lid of FIG. 9. Here,one can see the lip 540 extending circumferentially and partially aroundthe lower side of the body of the lid 500, where the portal 520encompasses a midpoint of the circular region, with the lip 540 forminga partial-circumference around an imaginary line passing directlythrough the center of the portal.

FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of the fully assembled brew cup of anembodiment of the disclosed technology. When fully assembled, referringalso again to FIG. 2E, the particulate solid matter rests in, or abutsthe inner cavity of the inner layer cup 100, the walls of the innerlayer cup 10 being mostly or fully surrounded by the walls of theintermediate layer cup 200, these walls being mostly or completelysurrounded by the walls of the outer layer cup 300, having an outerridged side 310, as shown in FIG. 11. The lip 340 and lip 540, whichform a unitary structure with outer layer cup 300 and lid 500,respectively, abut each other in a manner such that two end points ofeach lip abut each other when the brewing cup is fully assembled, asshown. The reverse side is the same as the side shown. The abuttingportions of the lips are the narrow, flat regions between each curvedside of each lip. The lid 500 is slid horizontally (across the plane ofthe top of and) onto the outer layer cup 300 until lip 540 abuts lip340. In embodiments of the disclosed technology, the lip 540 of the lidinterlocks with the top of the cup 300, 200, or 100, such that it isremovable only by way of sliding it horizontally, with respect to thetop of the respective cup or cups.

While the disclosed technology has been taught with specific referenceto the above embodiments, a person having ordinary skill in the art willrecognize that changes can be made in form and detail without departingfrom the spirit and the scope of the disclosed technology. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not restrictive. All changes that come within the meaning and rangeof equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.Combinations of any of the methods, systems, and devices describedhereinabove are also contemplated and within the scope of the invention.

I claim:
 1. A method of using a cup, said cup comprising at least threelayers of cups having bottoms, sides, and at least an opening at the topof each cup into a cavity of each cup, comprising steps of: placing aninner cup into an intermediate cup such that a lip of said inner cuprests on an inner portion of a lip of said intermediate cup; placingsaid intermediate cup into an outer cup such that an outer portion ofsaid lip of said intermediate cup rests on a lip of said outer cup;placing particulate solid material in a cavity of said inner cup;placing said inner, intermediate, and outer cups in a chamber of abrewing apparatus with heating chamber and liquid dispensing mechanism;and causing a lid to slide over at least one said inner, intermediate,and/or outer cup.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step ofcausing liquid from said brewing apparatus to enter through said lidonto said particulate solid matter.
 3. The method of claim 1, whereinsaid inner cup further comprises side portals, said side portals beingcloser to said bottom than said top of said inner cup; and said methodfurther comprises a step of causing said liquid to exit through saidside portals of said inner cup into said intermediate cup.
 4. The methodof claim 3, wherein said intermediate cup further comprises sideportals, said side portals being closer to said top than said bottom ofsaid intermediate cup; and said method further comprises a step ofcausing at least some of said liquid to exit through said side portalsof said intermediate cup into said outer cup.
 5. The method of claim 4,wherein said outer cup further comprises bottom portals on said bottomside of said outer cup; and said method further comprises a step ofcausing at least some of said liquid to exit through said bottom portalsinto an apparatus external to said three layers of cups.
 6. The methodof claim 1, wherein said lid comprises a central portal adapted for thepassage there-through of liquid.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein atleast one said cup of said inner, intermediate, and outer cups hasexterior ridges adapted to align with ridges of another cup selectedfrom said inner, intermediate, and outer cups.
 8. The method of claim 7,wherein said lid comprises a partially-circumferential lip adapted toabut a corresponding partial-circumferential portion of a lip of saidouter cup.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein said inner and saidintermediate cups are hidden from view when stacked in said outer cupand said partially-circumferential lip of said lid and saidcorresponding partial-circumferential portion of said lip of said outercup are abutted to one another.